Hounds suffer second-straight setback

December 3, 2011

Freedom New Mexico

SAN ANTONIO — Incarnate Word finished the first half on an 18-8 run to take the lead for good and the Cardinals went on to an 85-70 Lone Star Conference men’s basketball victory over Eastern New Mexico University on Saturday.

Forward Jordan Roddy had 22 points to lead four players in double figures as the Cardinals (5-3, 1-1 LSC) handed the Greyhounds (7-3, 0-2) their second consecutive loss coming off a seven-game winning streak.

The Hounds will be put to the test on Monday with a 7:05 p.m. (MST) clash at Division I Long Beach State.

Senior guard Reggie Nelson established a career-high for the Hounds with 32 points, shooting 12-of-17 from the field and 3-of-5 from 3-point range. It was his second 30-point outing in three games.

Nelson had a 3-pointer and an assist in an early 7-0 run after the Cardinals scored the game’s first basket. ENMU maintained the lead until Rucker tied it 23-23 with a layup at the 8:40 mark. Guard Tralyn Harden put ENMU back in front with a 3-pointer, but Umeh’s trey tied it 29-29 at the 4:03 mark and Rucker gave the Cardinals the lead for good with two free throws on the next possession.

Forward Greg McFarland scored for ENMU to start the second half, but UIW scored the next six points. Carrier’s two free throws kept the Hounds within six points with 12:38 left, but a 3-pointer by Jordan and a layup by Rucker pushed the lead into double figures for good with just under 10 minutes left.

The Cardinals shot 50 percent for the game, including 8-of-18 from 3-point range, and owned a 43-31 advantage on the boards. UIW posted a 21-4 margin in second-chance points.